ERS OF AQUIDNECK 



LIBRARY OF CO NGRESS. 

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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 









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SETTLERS OF AQUIDNECK, 



-AND- 



LIBERTY OF CONSCIENCE, 



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READ BEFORE THE 



RHODE ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY, 



February, 1880. 



BY 



HENRY E. TURNER, M. E>. 



♦ « ♦ > ♦ 




PUBLISHED BY 

THE NEWPORT, K. I., HISTORICAL PUBLISHING CO. 

U. H. TILLEY, Sec'ry., 128 Thames Street. 

1880. 



-•ti. 



Newpout, R. I. : 
OLIVER M. ATKINSON, PRINTER. 

1880. 






THE AQDID^ECK SETTLERS, 



In 1637, what we should call liberal ideas, but what were 
regarded by the dominant party as heretical delusions, had so 
far infected the popular mind, in Massachusetts, and especially 
in Boston, as to have alarmed the authorities and churches in 
that promising settlement, and caused them serious distrust ; in 
fact they apprehended that the reign of Belial was at hand, and 
unless they resorted to stringent measures to rid themselves of 
the promoters of these errors, they were in immediate danger of 
being subjected to the dominion of Antichrist. 

Accordingly they convened a synod of most of the minis- 
ters and many of the prominent laymen of the colony, at New- 
town, since Cambridge, (Boston, on account of the poisoned con- 
dition of public sentiment, being thought unsuitable,) on the 30th 
of August, 1G37, which remained in session until Sept. 22d, at 
the close of which the Governor, Mr. Winthrop, proposed that 
" a like meeting should be held once a year, or at least, the next 
year, to settle what yet remained to be agreed, or if but to nour- 
ish love, tS:c." 

This, however, did not prevail. It might be a curious sub- 
ject for speculation, how much was left to be disposed of, by an 
assembly which had been in session 24 days, and had unearthed 



4 THE AQUIDNECK SETTLERS, 

and condemned 82 alarming errors prevailing in the community, 
and had probably arranged, among themselves, the measures 
which should be taken with tho recusants. And also, how the 
offending parties appreciated the love, which was proposed to be 
cultivated. 

At the election, April 17th, 1G37, Mr. Vane had been su- 
perseded, as Governor, by Mr. Winthrop, and Messrs. Codding- 
ton and Dummer by Messrs. Stoughton and Saltonstall, as As- 
sistants, these three were of the heretical faction. 

Winthrop says : [Savage's Winth. Vol. 1, p 219, &c. 

" There was great danger of a tumult that day, for those of 
that side grew into fierce speeches, and some laid hands on others, 
but seeing themselves too weak, they grew quiet " 

There is no great matter for wonder in this, for the citizens 
of Boston having preferred a petition, and the Governor, Vane, 
declining to proceed with the election until the petition had been 
read, the other party withdrew from his Presidency, and went 
into the election. This election also was held at Newtown. 

[Ibid. Vol. 1, p. 219, & Seq.] 

The next day, April 18th, Boston elected as Deputies, 
Messrs. Coddington,Vane and Hoffe, (probably Atherton Haugh.) 

Winthrop says : [Ibid. Vol. 1, p. 220 ] 

" But the Court being grieved at it, found a means to send 
them home again, for that two of the freemen of Boston liad not 
notice of the election. So they all went home, and the next 
morning they returned the same gentlemen again, upon a new 
choice ; and the Court not finding how they might reject them, 
they were admitted. 

So it appears, they were willing to disfranchise the town of 
Boston, but refrained from want of a plausible excuse. 

Some recent transactions, in a State not a thousand miles 
from Boston, seem to argue, that this enlightened generation 
has improved upon this significant example, it is not thought 
necessary now to wait for a plausible excuse. 



THE AQUIDNECK SETTLERS. 5 

At the Court in the following Nov. a pretext was found, 
the Deputies from Boston were dismissed or rejeetcd, and Bos- 
ton, until its priucipal eitizCns were banished, was disfranchised. 

[Ibid. Vol. l,p. 245 ] 

These Deputies were Coggeshall, Aspinwall and Oliver. 
The two former of whom were associated in the settlement of 
Aquidneek, with Coddington, Easton, Clarke, the Mutchinsons 
and others. 

'i'hey were all conspicuous adherents of the heretical school, 
of which the Rev. jNlr. Wheelwright was the spiritual leader, 
and ]Mrs. Hutchinson the most aggressive propagandist. 

'Jhe atmosphere of Boston -was evidently seriously contam- 
inated by this pestilent heresy, and it became necessary to purge 
the Colony of Massachusetts Bay, of these heterodox elements. 

Accordingly, all the political and hierarchical power of the 
other towns and churches, was brought into requisition for the 
accomplisbment of that eiid, and they and thei ; friends were 
first disarmed, Nov. 27th, 1637, and afterwards kindly permit- 
ted to depart the jurisdiction, and humanely relegated to the hos- 
pitality and tender mercies of the savage denizens of the wilder- 
ness. 

Aided by the experience and friendly intervention of Roger 
"VVilliams,this desperate resource did not fail them, and although 
the adverse influence of ^lassachusetts, and of the other neigh- 
boring Colonies, forming the league known as the United Colo- 
nies of New England, was, for many years, uniformly exercised 
with the design and purpose to discourage and crush the little 
community which they established, they, nevertheless, " in the 
providence of God," with the cooperation of the equally feeble 
settlements of Providence and Warwick, by conciliatory treat- 
ment of the aboriginal inhabitants of the county, and by prudent, 
industrious and frugal habits, succeeded in establishing the foun- 
dation of the little commonwealth, in which we, to-day, so much 
pride ourselves. 

By the friendly and j^otential intervention of Mr. Williams, 



6 THE AQUIDNECK SETTLERS. 

in March, 1637, the Indian chiefs Canonicus and Miantonomi, 
were induced for a nominal payment of forty fathom of white 
beads, and gratuity, to the present inhabitants, of ten coats and 
twenty hoes, (R. I. Col. Rec, VoL page 46,) to transfer to Wm. 
Coddington for himself and his associates, the Island of Aquid- 
neck. now Rhode Island, (Jl. I. Col. Rec , Vol. 1, pp. 50-51,) 
and in March, 1638, they removed from Massachusetts, and 
commenced a settlement on the north end of the Island, now 
Portsmouth, but then known by the name of Pocasset. 

This name, in more recent times has been applied to the 
adjacent territory on the opposite side of the East Bay, now 
called Tiverton, but evidence is irrefragable, that it M'as origi- 
nally applied to the north end of the Island, and to the site of 
the first English settlement. 

An extensive tract of land, in Tiverton, which was then 
comprised in Plymouth Colonys jurisdiction was granted to 30 
persons or shareholders, on the fifth of March, 1679-80, by Ply- 
mouth Colony. 

The following, which I copy from one of four deeds in first 
volume Colonial Land Evidence, from Wm. Manchester to dif- 
ferent parties, gives the boundary description of the Pocasset 
purchase, as it was denominated. 

" A\ m Manchester, of Punkatest, to Matthew Greenell, of 
Portsmouth, for £13 sterling 1-4 of 1-30 of land at Pocasset, 
bounded north and west by the Freeman's Lots, next Fall River, 
west by the Bay or Sound, running between said land and Rhode 
Island ; south partly by a line that is set at a great rock, on 
which is a cedar bush, marked near the way that leads into Pun- 
katest ; eastward on a pond at Dartmouth town bounds ; west- 
ward to Sepowett Creek's mouth, and paitly by Dartmouth 
bounds, and upward into the woods to Middlebury town bounds 
and Quitquissett Pond, always excepted Suppowett Neck, and 
the Punkatest meadows, and the land granted Capt. Richard 
Morris, by Plymouth Court, and that set apart for the ministry." 

*' All which and some others, I hold under deed of enfe- 



THE AQUIDNECK SETTLERS. 7 

offment from Plymouth Colony, of date, March 5th, l()79-80." 

This deed is dated, Oct. 7, 1681. 

He also, Wm. Manchester, sells to John Cooke, Sen., of 
Portsmouth, 1-2 of 13 shares same purchase, Nov. 24, 1680. 

Also, to John Cooke, Sen., 2 shares of same purchase, men- 
tioning as associates in the purchase, Edward (iray, Nathaniel 
Thomas, Benjamin Church, and others, his friends and partners, 
Nov. 24, 1680. 

The reservations, evidently, were of parcels of land granted 
by Plymouth, previously to the Pocasset grant. 

AVhethor the name Pocasset was common to Tiverton and 
Portsmouth, or whether this company of purchasers gave the 
name to Tiverton, is a quistion I am not, at present, prepared to 
discuss. 

At a meeting of the body politic, at Newport, Nov 25, 
1639, Commissioners were appointed '* to negotiate business wiih 
our brethren of Pocasset," who could have been no others than 
the Portsmouth Settlers. [R. I. Col. Rec, Vol. 1, p. 94.] 

The name Portsmouth had been adopted July 1, 1639. 

[R. I. Col. Rec. Vol. 1, p 72.] 

In the description of Wm Coddington's land, as divided 
in 1640, and which comprises six or seven hundred acres, at and 
about Coddington's Point, (Pocasset highway forms one of the 
boundaries,) see First Volume R. I. B.ec., Secretary State's 
Office. 

Pocasset therefore, was, without question, the name by 
which the Indians recognized the north end of Rhode Island. 

Shortly before their arrival, viz: March 7th, 1638, the 
refugees from Massachusetts held a meeting at Providence, and 
nineteen subscribed their names to the following remarkable cov- 
enant, remarkable alike? for its sublime simplicity and for the 
implicit confidence it expresses in the care and guidance of the 
Divine Spirit. 

THE COMIWCT. 

" We, whose names are underwritten, do here solemnly, in 



THE AQUIDNECK SETTLERS. 



the presence of Jehovah, incorporate ourselves into a Body Pol- 
itick, and as He shall help, will submit our persons, lives and 
estates unto our Lord Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord 
of Lords, and to all those perfect and most absolute laws of His, 
given us in His holy word of truth, to be guided and judged 
thereby." 



Wm. Coddington. 

John Clarke. 

Wm. Hutchinson, Jr. 

John Coggeshall. 

Wm. Aspinwall. 

Samuel Wilbore. 

John Porter. 

John Sanford. 

Edw. Hutchinson, Jr. 



Wm. Dyre. 
Wm. Freeborn. 
Philip Sherman. 
John Walker. 
Richard Carder. 
Wm. Baulston. 
Edw. Hutchinson, Sen. 
Henry Bulle X mark, 
liandall Holden. 



Thomas Savage. 
To these were added four other names, for some reason, 
never, that I am aware, explained, afterwards erased. 

At a meeting of the Body, as they expressed it, Aug. 20, 
1638, the following were admitted as freemen, with all privi- 
leges as themselves, viz : 

Richard Dummer. William Brenton, 

iSiicholas Easton. Robert Harding. 

On the 23d of August, 1638, 13 lots, on the west side of 
the Spring, were granted to Mr. Richard Dummer and his 
friends, viz : 



Stephen Dummer. 
Thomas Dummer. 
Mr. (Nicholas) Easton. 
Mr. Robert Geoffreys. 
Mr. (Osamond) Doutch. 
William Baker. 
No dobt Mr. Brenton should have been added to these, 
who with Richard Dummer, would make the complement, 13. 
At the same meeting it was voted, that Mr. Richard Dum- 



Mr, Spencer. 

Adam Mott. 
Robert Field. 
James Tarr. 
Mr. Robert Harding. 



THE AQUIDNECK SETTLERS. 9 

mer and his friends should have hinds equal to ourselves. Mr. 
Dummer had been an assistant in Massachusetts, and super- 
seded with Mr. Coddington in the previous year. 

Mr. Coddington had been elected Judge ; at the first meet- 
ing, March 7th, Mr. Aspin.vall, Secretary, and Wm. Dyre, 
Clerk, though why both these offices were thought necessary, 
does not appear. 

The Act constituting the Judge, is as follows : 

" We, thnt are freemen incorporate in this Bodie Politick 
do elect anl constitute William Coddington, Esq , a Judge 
amongst us, and do covenant to yield all due honour unto him, 
according to fhe laws of God, and so far as in us lyes, to main- 
tain the honor and privileges of his place, which shall hereafter 
be ratified according to God, the Lord helping us so to do." 

The obligation taken by Coddington, is : 

" I, William Coddington, Esquire, being called and chosen 
by the Freemen Incorporate of this Bodie Politick, to be a judge 
amongst them, do covenant to do justice and JT.dgment impar- 
tially, according to the laws of God, and to maintain the funda- 
mental rights and privileges of this Bodie Politick, which shall 
hereafter be ratified, according unto God, the Lord helping us 
so to do " 

(Signed) William Coddington. 

The three clauses constitute their whole Constitution or Or- 
ganic Law, and the simplicity and directness which characterize 
it, and the compact and perspicacious manner, in which their 
subsequent acts are expressed, argues, that if there were any 
lawyers among them, they must have been of very limited legal 
accomplishments. They fortunately had very few physicians, 
and as Edward Johnson says, they were all ministers, they could 
not be better off' in that regard. 

January 2d, 1638-9, Mr. Nicholas Easton, Mr. John 
Coggeshall and Mr, Wm. Brenton were chosen Elders. 

At this meeting, the duties of the Judge and Elders are 
thus defined. 



lO THE AQUIDNECK SETTLERS. 

" That such, who shall be chosen to the place of Eldership, 
they are to assist the judges in the execution of justice and judg- 
ment, for the regulating and oi clering of all offences and offend- 
ers ; and for the drawing up and deteiniining of such Rules and 
Laws, as shall be according to God, which may conduce to the 
sood and welfare of the Commonwealth. And to them is com- 
mitted, by the Body, the whole care and charge of all tire affairs 
thereof. And that the Judge together with the Elders, shall 
rule and govern according to the general rule of the word of 
God ; when they have no particular rule, from God's word, by 
the Body proscribed, (prescribed) as a direction unto them in the 
case. And further, it is agreed, and consented unto : That the 
Judge with the Elders shall be accountable unto the Body, once 
every quarter of the year, (when as the Body shall be ass mbled) 
of all such cases, actions and rules, which have passed through 
their hands, by them to be scanned and weighed by the word of 
Christ And if by the Body or any of them, the Lord shall be 
pleased to dispense light to the contrary of what, by the Judge 
and Elders, hath been determined formerly, that then and there 
it shall be repealed as the act of the Body. And if otherwise, 
that then it shall stand till further light concerning it, for the 
present to be according to God, and the tender care of indul- 
gent Fathers." 

"Given this 2d of 11th, 1638." 

At this meeting, the name of Jeremiah Clarke first appears, 
as a member of the Body, present, when he was admitted does 
not appear. 

Febuary 7th, 1638—9, by Judge and Elders were admitted 
Freemen : 

Thomas Beeder. , Eobert Stanton. 

John Marshall. Osamond Doutch. 

Febuary 21st, 1638-9, by Judge and Elders were admitted 
Freemen : 

Joseph Clarke. John Driggs. 

Eobert Carr. 



THE AQUIDNECK SETTLERS. I I 

Up to April 2<Sth, 1()39, the original Institution seems to 
liave subsisted, modified by thi addition of Elders. Jan. ^d, 
l()38-9, at that time, a portion of them removed and estabbshed 
tliemselves at Newport. Among these were all the prominent 
officials. 

The agreement, nndcn' which this settlement was made, was 
drawn and subscribed before taking their departure from Pocas- 
set, and is as follows : 

"Pocasset, on the 28th of the 2d, (month) 1639." 

" IT IS AGKKKU." 

" By us, whose names are underwritten, to propagate a 
Plantation in the midst of the Island or elsewhere. And do en- 
gage ourselves to bear equal chai'ges, answerable to our strength 
and estates, in common, and that our determination shall be by 
niajor voice of Judge and Elders; the judge to have a double 
voice.' 

PRESENT. 

\A'illiam Coddington, Judge. 
Nicholas Easton,"] 
John Coggeshall y Elders. 

William Brentot, j 
John Clarke. Thomas Hazard. 

Jeremy Clarke. Henry Bull. 

\\ illiam Dyre, Clerk. 
Thirty-two days after, viz. April 30th, 1639, those who re- 
mained at Pocasset, entered into the following Compact, viz: 

"We whose names are underwritten, do acknowledge our- 
selves as the legal subjects of (his majestic) King Charles, and 
in his name, do hereby bind ourselves into a civil Body Politic, 
unto his laws, according to matters of justice." 

William Hutchinson. Anthony Paine. C. Marke. 

Samuel Hutchinson. Jobe Hawkins. H. jNIarkc. 

Samuel Gorton. Kichard Awarde. 

John Wicks. John Mow. N. Clarke. 

Kichard Maggson. Nicholas Brown. N. Marke. 

Thomas Spicer. AVm. Richardson. X. Marke 



I 2 THE AQUIDNECK SETTLERS. 

John Roome. R. Mfirko. John Irippe. 

Thomas Beeder II Maike. Thomas Layton, T. Maike. 

Sampson Shottcn. Robert Stanton. S. Maike. 

Ralph Earle. John Briggs. X. Marke. 

Robert Potter. Jomcs Davice. 177 Marke. 

Nathanyell Pott' r N Marke. John SlofFe. I. Marke. 

AV. F. Haven. W. T. Marke. Erasmus Bullocke. 

George Chare ^ George Potter. X. Marke. 

George Lawton. 

Four of these are mentioned in Miantonomi's deed of 
Warvvich. besides, Holden, Carder, and Woodel who were 
residents of Portsmouth, though their names are not attached 
to this instrument. 

Singuhirly enough, fifteen of these names are signed by 
mark, though not by any of the Warwick men. On the same 
date, they elected a judge, supposed to have been Wm. Hutchin- 
son, although, frum the defective condition of the records, his 
name is obliterated. (We depend on Govr. Winthrop's journal 
for the solution of this problem.) 

It appears also, that they elected eight men to assist the 
Judge, in the duties of administration. 

They voted also, that there should be a Court held every 
Quarter, "to do right between man and man," at which, the 
Judge and assistants should settle questions not involving an 
amount exceeding forty shillings, larger amounts requiring a 
jury of twelve men. 

The paucity of records and documents, and the imperfect 
preservation of those of Portsmouth, (which name the inhabi- 
tants of Pocasset adopted, July 1st, 1639,) and the almost total 
destruction of those of Newport, render the elucidation of the 
motives which led to this separation, vei-y difficult. 

Whether each town had a separate polity, during the year, 
between March 1639, and March 1640, does not fully appear, 
but the organization, by Portsmouth, of the full machinery for 
administration, with a Court of Judicature «&c., implies that, for 
the time being, at least, they recognized no interdependance. 



THE AQUIDNECK SETTLERS I 3 

A passage in Govr. Winthrop's Journal, is the only collat- 
eral authority I have been able to find, which alludes to the 
subject. 

(Savages Winthrop, Vol 1. p. 295.) 
"Apr. 11, U)39. At Aquiday, the people grew very 
tumultuous, and put out Mr. Coddington and the other three 
Magistrates, and chose Mr. Wm. Hutchinson only, a man of a 
very nii!d temper and weak parts, and wholly guided by his 
wife, who had been the beginner of all the former troubles in 
the country, and still continued to breed disturbance." 

In Savage's notes on this passage, Mr. Eddy contradicts 
this election of Hutchinson in 1639, because the Colonial records 
do not give it ; but the records of the town of Portsmouth, pub- 
lished many years later than Winthrop's Journal, (1825) confirm 
Mr Winthrop, as to Mr. Hutchinson's election, or an election, 
but the rest of the passage must be interpreted in the light of 
Mr. '\Mnthrop's prejudices and those of his informers, and has 
no more authority than country gossip ; though he was perfectly 
sincere in reporting it. It harmonizes too well with his pro- 
phetic visions, to provoke any very severe efforts in judical 
analysis. I may here say, that while Gov. Winthrop's facts are 
entirely reliable when they occur in his own observation, a great 
part of them are at second hand, and he cannot be held respon- 
sible for them. I say therefore, that Winthrop's Journal 
although among our best authorities, is not reliable, until care- 
fully and rigidly scaled down. 

At the the first organization, March 7, 1638, it is to be 
observed, Mr. Coddington was elected Judge, but, as far as the 
records shows, no specifiek limitation was assigned for his in- 
cumbency; according to modern practice, it would be, by impli- 
cation, one year: possibly, it was intended to be permanent, 
according to the official usuages then prevailing in England, or 
during good behaviour, or during the pleasure of the appointing 
power. If for one year, then his term would have expired at 
about the time of removal to Newport. 



14 THE AQUIDNECK SETTLERS. 

But, so far as appears by the record no election was held at 
Newport, in April 1639, either of Judge or Elders. They 
merely agree to be governed by the major voice of Judge and 
Elders, in the Plantation which they propose to propagate, and 
without reference to the settlement or Plantation already made 

at Pocasset. 

The Elders had been elected on the Seventh of November, 
1638, their term of service could not then be supposed it expire 
in April. 

The record made in Portsmouth, appears to have been 
taken to Newpo;t, by the Clerk, Mr. Dyre, who, as well as, the 
Judge and all three of the Elders, were parties in that settle- 
ment, and the records of Newport, to have been kept contin- 
uously, in the same book, as the records of Portsmouth were not, 
and to have been always regarded as an intergral part of the 
records of the Colony. 

It is difficult to understand why, the number of settlers re- 
moving, being much the smaller, this should be so, and it is not 
improbable that there were differences between them, but the 
records afford no evidence of conflict of authority, and it is 
certain that after 1648, the time of his suspension, the influence 
of Coddington was greater in Portsmouth than in Newport. 
The most probable theory is that the whole Island being com- 
mon property, the removal to Newport was regarded, as merely 
a removal of the seat of government, and not necessarily, ever 
that, for some of the sessions may have been in Portsmouth, and 
Mr. Brcnton was still a resident of Portsmouth, and for several 
years after, although his name is on thi; Newport agreement. 

It is plain that no grants of land could be secured to gran- 
tees, by either town alone. 

In the list of those agreeing "to the government of it is or 
shall be established," Oct. 1st, 1639, are many names of Ports- 
mouth, and many wanting, implying that the necessity for union 
was felt, generally, but that some of those of Portsmouth, and 
they the more prominent, Avere contumacious. This list in- 



THE AQUIDNECK SETTLERS. 1 5 

eluded both towns. None of the Hutchinsons except Samuel, 
appear in it, Gorton, Wiekes, Shotten and Potter, are on ir, 
11 olden and Carder are not. 

Probably, the desire for individual title to the land, was 
the most powerful argument for a settlement, as they were issia- 
ed immediately after its completion, 1641, and none are known 
before. 

Excepting in relation to negotiations for union, all the 
records for this year, indicate legislation for Newport alone_ 

Unfortunately, the records for this year do not specify the 
])lace where the Court was held, in any case, nor do they give 
the names of the persons present, as in other cases. 

During this year, 1639-40 not many incidents of great sig- 
nificance, appear upon the records. 

May 16. The name of Newpoit was adopted, applying 
to the South and East (and North) from the town to the distance 
of five miles, including Middlctown, -which was set off" from 
Newport, by the Colonial Legislature, in 1743. 

Sept. 2. It was agreed, that the trade "with the Indians 
shall be free to all men." 

Oct. 8. "It was ordered, that the Judge and Elders shall 
meet on the first Tuesday in July, to determine all causes." 

At this time, the inconvenience of distinct governments in 
so small a territory, seems to have made itself felt, and the fol- 
lowing entry was made. 

"A catalogue of such (persons) who by general consent of 
the Company, were admitted to be inhabitants of the Island 
called Aquidneck, having submitted themselves to the govern- 
ment that is or shall be established [therein] according to the 
word of God, therein." 

Samuel Hutchinson. Thomas Emmons. 

Richard Award, and fifty-nine others. 

This list includes many of both towns, and many arc want- 
ing, whence we conclude that there were some, who had not yet 
accecded to the proposed plan of junction, it was nevertheless, 



1 6 THE AQUIDNECK SETTLERS. 

carried into effect, in the March following as we shall see pres- 
ently. 

The record of the same date, has the following entry. 

"Inhahitants admitted at the Towne of Nieuport, since the 
20th, of the 3d, 1638, forty-two names. 

As Newport was not in existence in May 1638, and as 
scarcely any of these names are on the previous list, I conclude 
that it has been transposed from some later period, and should 
have refered to 1639 or 40. 

Nov. 28th, 1639. This record appears. 

"By the Body Politick in the Isle of Aquethuce Inhabiting 
this present 25th of 9th month." 

In the fourtheenth yeare of the Raign of our Soveraign 
Lord, King Charles," 

'•IT IS AGREED " 

"That, as natural subjects of our Prince, and subject to his 
laws, all matters that concern the peace, shall be, by those that 
are officers of the peace, transacted, and all actions of the case 
or debt shall be, in such Courts as, by order, are here and 
appointed, and by such Judges, as are here deputed, be heard 
legally determined." ■ 

"Given at Nieuport, on the Quarter Court Day, which was 

adjourned till this day." 

"Wm. Dyre, Sec. 

On the same date, it was further ordered, that the Commis- 
sioners, formerly appointed to negotiate the business with our 
brethren of Pocasset, shall give them our propositions, under 
their hands and shall require their propositions, with their 
answers, and shall give reply unto it, and so, shall return to the 
Body a Brieve, of what they therein have done. 

On the same date, "It was ordered, that Mr. Easson and 
Mr. John Clarke be desired, to inform Mr. Vane, by writing, of 
the state of things here, and desire him to treate about the ob- 
taining a Patent of the Island, from his Majestic, and likewise 
to write to Mr. Thomas Burwood, brother to Mr. Easson, con- 
cerninsc the same thing." 



THE AQUIDNECK SE'ITLERS. 



17 



These are all the reeords of this year, of public interest, 
and the}' furnish no hint to any pretension to any jurisdiction, 
beyond the lini ts of Newport, nor of any present or past differ- 
ence with their brethren of Portsmc uth, the only intimation of 
any animosity or difference between them, being the passage in 
^\ inthtop's journal, heretofore quoted. 

March 12. 1640. A highly important crisis occurred in 
the fortunes of the infant settlment. A convention of the two 
towns, was held at Newport. 

As far as may be judged from the record, it consisted of 
eighteen leading citizens of Newport, and ten of Portsmouth, at 
which, a new form of government, for the whole Island, was 
established, and officers were elected under it. 

Whether the ten Portsmouth men admitted under the third 
section of the record were present is not made clear, I incline to 
the opinion that thev were, and were part of the convention, in 
which case, the number from each town would be equal, as fol- 
lows : 



From Newport. 

Mr Wm. Coddington, Judge. 

" Nicholas Easton, Elder. 

" John Coggeshall, " 

" Wm. Brenton, " 

" Robert J eoffreys, Treas'r. 

" John Clarke. 

" Jeremy Clarke. 

*' \V m. Foster. 

'* Samuel Wilbore. 

" Wm. Cowlie. 

*' Thomas Hazard. 

" Robert Field. 

" Thomas Clarke. 

" George Gardner. 

" Henry Bull. 

" Joseph Clarke. 

" Robert Stanton 

" Wm. Dyre, Secr'y- (18) 
3 



From Portsmouth. 

Mr. Wm. Hutchinson. 

" Wm. Balstone. 

" John Sanford. 

" John Porter. 

" Adam Mott. 

" Wm. Freeborne. 

" John Walker. 

" Philip Sherman. 

" Richard Carder. 

" Randall Holden. 10. 

" Samuel Hutchinson, 

" Thomas Emons. 

" Job Hawkins. 

" Richard Awards. 

" Sampson Shotten. 

" Toby Knight, 

" John Roome. 

" George Barker. (18) 



1 8 THE AQUIDNECK SETTLERS. 

Whether these men were present, as delegates or in their 
sovereign capacity, does not appear, but, from the purely Dem- 
ocratic forms which they adopted, the latter seems more prob- 
able, no record is extant, of the preparatory steps. 

The future records of Portsmouth, are all made under the 
title of Town Meetings, whereas, in lGo9, they were recorded 
as meetings or quarter meetings. 

The meetings subsequent to this date, in the General Re- 
cord, and which, in the printed Record, are under the head of 
Newport, are always entitled Meetings of the General Court, 
and were held, interchangably at Newport and Portsmouth. 

The record, of March 12th, 1640, is as follows : 

"At the (General Court of Election, held on the twelfth day 
of the first month, 1640. in the 

Towne of Neuport, 
present, eighteen as before mentioned. 

1. Mr. William Hutchinson and nine others from Ports- 
mouth, presenting themselves, and desiring to be reunited to 
this Body, are readily embraced by us." 

2. "It is agreed, by this Body united : that if there shall be 
anie person found meet for the service of the same, in eyther 
Plantation, if there be no just exception against him, upon his 
orderlie presentation, he shall be received as a freeman thereof.'' 

3. "It is agreed, that Mr. Samuel Hutchinson, (and seven 
others, of Portsmouth,) are received as Freemen of this Bodv, 
fully to enjoy the privileges belonging thereto." 

4. "It is ordered, that the Chiefe Magistrate of this Island, 
shall be called Governour, and the next, Duputy Governour, 
and the rest of the Magistrates, Assistants : and this to stand 
for a Decree." 

5. "It is agreed, that the Governour and two Assistants, 
shall be chosen from one town, and the Deputy Governour and 
two Assistants from the other town." 

6. "It is ordered, that the other end of the Island shall be 
called Portsmouth." 



THE AQUIDXECK SETTLERS IQ 

7. The foUoNving officers werj chosen for one vear, or till a 
new be chosen, viz. : 

Governor, Wni. Coddingtun, of Newport. 
Deputy Gov'r, Wm. Brcnton, of Portsmouth. 
Assistant, Nicholas Easton, of Newport. 

" Jolin Coggeshall, of Newport. 

" \Vm. Hutchinson, of Portsmouth. 

" John Porter, of Portsmouth. 

Treasuier, Kobeit GeofTreys, of Newport. 

" Wm. Balstou, of Portsmouth. 

Secretary, Wm. Dyre, of Newport. 
Constable, Jeremy Clarke, of Newport. 

" Mr. Sanford, of Portsmouth. 

Sergeant Attend"!, Henry Bull, of Newport. 
8 "It is agreed and ordered, that the Governour and As- 
sistants, are invested with the Offices of the Justices of the Peace, 
according to the Law." 

Four other orders of this Court, provide and appoint five 
from Portsmouth and three from Newport, for the division of 
lands. 

At the General Court, held at Newport, May Gth, 1(340, it 
was ordered, 

19. That the particular Courts, consisting of Magistrates 
and Jurors, shall be holden on the first Tuesday of each month ; 
and one Court to be held at Nieuport, the other at Portsmouth, 
aud that the sayd Court, shall have full power to judge and de- 
termine all such cases and actions, as shall be presented." 
"At the General Court, held at 
Portsmouth, the Gth of August, 
1640, 
It was ordered, 
23. That each town shall have a joynt and equal supply of 
the money in the Treasury, for the necessary uses of the same, 
and that the Governor and one Assistant, from one town, and 



20 THE AQUIDNECK SETTLERS. 

the Deputy Governor and one Assistant, from the other town, 
shall give a warrant, according to the determination of the ma- 
ior vote of the townsmen, for the same, unto the Treasurer, 
which shall be his discharge," and farther provides the manner 
of keeping his accounts. 
25. Provides, 

'•That each Towne shall have the transaction of the affaires 
that shall fall within then" own Towne ; and that the Magistrates 
of each Towne shall have Libertie to call a Coi.rt, every first 
Tuesday in the month, at Nuport, and every first Thursday in 
the month, at Portsmouth ; wherein actions may be entered, and 

juries cmpannellcd, and causes tryed." "Provided that it 

be not in the matter of Life and Limb ; and that if so be a 
Plaintiff hath commenced his suit, and the defendant cast, he 
shall have libertie to make his appeal to the Quarter Sessions, 
which are to be held upon the four Quarter dayes. And the 
two Parliamentarie (or General) Courts to be held on the 
Wednesday after the 12th of March, with what time is requisite 
thereunto; and the other the Wednesday after the 12th of Octo- 
ber, with what time is requisite thereunto ; which Courts are 
equally to be kept at the two Townes. And what former orders 
are repugnant hereunto are hereby nullified." 

"For the better understanding of the terme of the four 
Quarter dayes, It was, at the next Sessions of the Court General, 
determined, that the Quarter Sessions Courts should be held the 
Tuesdays (or dayes) before the General Courts ; and the other 
two to fall, the one the first Tuesday in July, and the other the 
first Tuesday in January." 

September 14th. A session of the General Court was held, 
the place not specified ; as the preceding session was at Ports- 
mouth, this was probably at Newport. At this, nothing trans- 
pired of great public significance. 

" At the General Court of Election began and held at 
Portsmouth, from the 15th of March to the 19th of the same 
month. 



THE AQUIDNECK SETTLERS. 2 1 

1041. 
The Court roll of Freeman, with the Officers as they were 
elected, on the IGthof March, 1641." 
^Ir. Wm. Coddington, Governour, Newport. 
" Wm. Brenton, Dep. Gov., Portsmouth. 
" John Coijgeshall, Assis't, Newport 
'* Robert Harding, Assis't, Newport. 
" Wm. Balston, Assis't and Treas., Portsmouth. 
" John Porter, Assis't, Portsmouth. 
" Wm. Dyre, Secretary, Newport. 
" Robert JeofFreys, Treas., Newport. 
" Thos. Gorton, Serg't Attend't, Portsmouth. 
" Henry Bull, " " Newport. 

" Thos. Cornell, Constable, Portsmouth. 
" Henry Bishop, " Newport. 

And 53 freemen, of whom the last four. Carder, Holden, 
Shatton and Robert Potter, are in italics, and a note appended, 
by which they were disfranchised, and their names ordered to 
be "cancelled out of the roll." 

A discussion of this act would not be pertinent to my pres- 
ent purpose ; it had no reference to religious faith; they refused 
to recognize any authority in government, which had no sanc- 
tion from the Crown, and Avere, therefore, considered unsafe 
citizens. 

1. "It is ordered and unanimously agreed upon, that the 
Government which this Bodie Politick doth attend unto, in this 
Island, is a Democracie, or popular Government, that is to say, 
it is the power of the Body of Freemen orderly assembled, or 
the major pait of them, to make or constitute just Laws, by 
which they will be regulated, and depute from among themselves 
such ministers as shall see them faithfully executed between man 
and man" 

4. It is ordered further, by the authority of this present 
Court, that none be accounted Delinquent for Doctrine : Pro- 



2 2 THE AQUIDNECK SETTLERS. 

vided, it be not repugnant to ye Government and Laws estab- 
lished." 

7. At this session, the dates for Quarter Courts were fixed 
for the first Tuesdays in Mai'ch, June, September and December. 

12. The Office of Justice of the Peace was confirmed to the 
Magistrates. 

The Secretary was ordered to transcribe the Laws, and to 
furnish the town, wherein the Secretary is not a resident, with a 
copy. 

15. "It is ordered, that a Manual Seale shall be provided for 
the State, and that the Signett or Emblem thereof shall be a 
sheafe of arrows bound up, and in the Liess or Bond, this motto 
indented : 'Amor vincet omnia.'' " 

16. An oath of fidelity was ordered to be taken by the Jus- 
tices of the Peace, at the Quarter Sessions, of all men or youth 
above the age of fifteen years. 

19. It is ordered, that the major part of the Courts, being 
lawfully assembled at the place and hour appointed, shall have 
full power to transact the business that shall be presented : Pro- 
vided, it be the major part of the Body entire, if it be the Gen- 
eral Court (present,) or the major part of the magistrates, with 
the Jury in the inferior Courts ; and that such acts concluded 
and issued, be of as full authority as if they were all present : 
Provided, there be due and seasonable notice given of every 
such Court.?' 

20. "It is ordered, established and decreed, unanimouslie, 
that all men's proprieties in their Lands in the Island, and the 
jurisdiction thereof, shall be such and so free, that neyther the 
State, nor any person or persons, shall intrude into it, molest 
him in itt, to deprive him of anything whatsoever that is or 
shall be within that or any of the bounds thereof; and this ten- 
ure and propriety of his therein, shall be continued to him or 
his, or to whomsoever he shall assign it, forever and ever," 

The sacred character of the tenure of land, which our for- 



THE AQUIDNECK SETTLERS. 23 

bears entertained, and which the last paragraph so tersely and 
emphatically expresses, was so thoroughly ingrained in their 
convictions, that every original grant of land under this dual 
and yet homogeneous nationality, has, incorporated in it, a copy 
of this remarkable declaration. 

Do I say nationality ? It is because they acted under no 
authority but their own inspired impulse; they designate their 
institution the State, and in many instances, "State General," 
they constitute themselves a Democracy, and establish themselves 
in a government, in which the officers are elective annually, and 
whose functions are only ministerial and executive ; and an ap- 
peal, in all cases, is reserved to the body of the people, in Gen- 
eral Court assembled, which tribunal is to assemble twice in 
every year, that the streams of justice may not be contaminated 
by issuing too far from the fountain. 

It is true that there were a few faint expressions of loyalty 
to the Prince, and a few feeble invocations of royal favor and 
recognition, but surely nothing could be more repugnant to the 
traditions of the Stuarts, or diverge more widely from the prin- 
ciples of polity which Charles I. and his ministers were disposed 
to foster. 

It is true, also, that Air. Clarke and Mr. Easton were de- 
sired, in view "of the state of things here," to communicate 
with Mr. Vane, Nov. 30, 1634, and Mr. Burwood, about the 
obtaining a Patent for the Island, and that Portsmouth, April 
30, same year, declared themselves the legal subjects of King 
Charles, but both these records were made, be it observed, when 
the two towns were disunited, and felt most sensibly their own 
weakness. 

It is true that, after the Union, the application for a Patent 
was persisted in, but they probably contemplated nothing more 
than a confirmation of themselves, in the position they had as- 
sumed, of governing themselves in their own manner. 

Their applications failed, and when they were authorized 



24 THE AQUIDNECK SETTLERS. 

to associate themselves with Providence and Warwick, under 
the Patent of Providence Plantations, liberal as its provisions 
were, they were slow to avail themseU^es of it. 

At any rate, from 1(540 to 1647, Rhode Island was an 
autonomous government, as was the State of Rhode Island and 
Providence Plantations from her declaration of independence, in 
May, 1776, to the adoption of the Federal Constitution, and 
during that period Rhode Island was essentially a distinct na- 
tionality. 

For the years 1645 and 1646, there are no records, and 
for 1643 and 1644, meagre ones, and probably the previous 
ones are somewhat defective, but I have endeavored to draw no 
deductions which are not amply justified by those remaining. 

There is no doubt that the book in the secretary's office, 
from which all these records are derived, is that which is some- 
times referred to as the clasped book, and that part of it is lost ; 
it is certain, at any rate, that many of the deeds made under the 
division in 1641, are wanting. 

LIBERTY OF CONSCIENCE. 

In the original compact, made and subscribed to at Provi- 
dence, none but divine control is recognized ; and submission to 
the will of the Almighty, according to the laws revealed in his 
written word, independent of interpretations by creeds or sects, 
seems to be the chart and compass by which alone they proposed 
to be guided, on the dark and difficult voyage on which they 
had embarked ; and surely, although, in some measure, for a 
certain period, they were compelled to commit themselves to 
other agencies, they never distrusted the power they had so sol- 
emnly invoked, and it were impious to doubt that all other in- 
fluences were overruled for good, and that, notwithstanding the 
shortcomings of their progeny, many ol the blessings we now 
enjoy, are the fruits of their humble submission to diviue au- 
thority, and faith in divine aid and guidance. 

At the September session of the General Court, the declara- 



THE AQUIDNECK SETTLERS. 25 

tion of March, IG-tO, was reiterated, in the following terms, to 
wit : 

30. "It Is ordered, that the Law of the last Court, made 
concerning Liberty of Conscience, is perpetuated." 

Although, so far as appears, this doctrine was not, until 
Maicli, 1(541, made part of tlu record, tlicre is no doubt tliat it 
was, fiom the inception of the enterprise, by them, as by the 
settlers of Providence, recognized as a vital principle in their 
cstabhshment ; in fact, as the corner stone of the structure they 
proposed tc erect. 

As appears : This idea was first promulgated at Provi- 
dence, in a settlement of affairs or covenant, signed by thirty- 
nine citizens, July 2Tth, 1640, and it implies that this had al- 
ways bejn regarded by them as a principle, if not a recorded 
obligation. 

The clause is as follows, viz. : 

"We agree, as formerly hath been the liberties of the town, 
so still, to hold forth Liberty of Conscience." [Staples' Annals 
of Providence, page 411; and Hazard's State papers, page 4G5.] 

There is also a record of au agreement, signed by thirteen 
residents of Providence, not including Roger Williams, entering 
into a town fellowship, and agreeing to be governed "by the 
major consent of the present inhabitants, masters of families, in- 
corporated together in a town of fellowship, and others whom 
they shall admit unto them, only in civil things." 

This, undoubtedly, was intended to reserve their freedom 
of belief, though it equally exonerates them from military obli- 
gation. This is dated Aug. 20 ; it was probably shortly after 
their arrival, though the year is not specified. 

Joshua V(,>rin's case, for restraining his wife's liberty of con- 
science, proves the tenacity with which the people of Providence 
adhered to this provision. [Staples' Annals, Prov. 23-4-5-6 : 
and Savage's Winthrop, Vol. I, page ] 

On the junction of Newport, Portsmouth, Providence and 



26 THE AQUIDNECK SETIXERS. 

Warwick, as T shall hereafter show, under the charter of Earl 
Warwick, the sentiment of the people was most emphatically 
expressed, in the reaffirmation of this doctrine 

All the evidence goes to show that the three settlements of 
Providence, Warwick and Rhode Island, were entirely in har- 
mony on this point, and equally earnest in making it an integer 
in their polity - 

1 take leave to quote from Johnson's "Wonder-working 
Piiovidence of Sious Saviour, in New England." [Mass. Hist. 
Soc. Coll. 2d series, Vol. 7, page 2-t.] 

"About this time (1(540, ) there was a town and church 
planted at Mount W^oUestone, and named Braintree. It was 
occasioned by some old planters and certain farmers, belonging 
to the great town of Boston ; they had formerly one Mr. Whele- 
wright to preach unto thqm, (till this Government could no 
longer contain them) they, many of them, belonging to the 
Church of Christ at Boston, but after his departure, they gath- 
ered into a Church themselves ; having some enlargement of 
land, they began to be well peopled, calling to office among 
them, the reverend and godly Mr. Wm. Thompson and Mr. 
Henry Elint, the one to the office of a Pastor, the other of a 
teacher ; the people are purged, by their industry, from the 
soure leaven of those sinful opinions that began to spread, and if 
anv remain among them, it is very covert, yet the manner of 
these Errouists that remain in any place, is to countenance all 
sorts of sinful opinions, as occasions serve, both in Church and 
Commonwealth, under pretence of Liberty of conscience, (as 
well their own opinion, as others) by this symbol they may be 
known in Court and Country." 

Johnson, it will be recollected, was one of the Massachu- 
setts commissioners to Warwick in 1643, who exemplified their 
iudicial spirit by marching an army of forty men through Provi- 
dence, where they had no right, to \V'arwick, where they had 
no ri2,ht, besieging, capturing and taking as prisoners to Boston, 



THE AQUIDNECK SETTLERS. 2/ 

all the male population, driving their cattle with them, and leav- 
ing the women and ehildrcn to subsist as they might through 
thc! winter, during which time the men were imprisoned in dif- 
ferent Massachusetts towns ; the Indians, the while, wo'king 
their own sweet will with such part of their homes and goods as 
the marauders did not think it worth their while to carry away. 
I never tire of this subject, but my hearers may, hut it 
does not pertain to my subject, and I pass on. I like to quote 
Johnson ; I have great respect for him ; 1 believe him entirely 
sincere in his convictions and entirely truthful as to his facts. 
He is the incarnation of the repressive spirit which actuated the 
authorities of Massachusetts, at that tiine, an 1 for fifty years af- 
ter, antagonism to which was the appointed mission of Rhode 
Island. 

Other passages from Johnson might be quoted, to prove the 
abominal)le and licentious doctrines advocated by Mrs. Hutchin- 
son and her associates, for eighty of which they were arraigned 
before the Synod of Newton, to twenty-six of which Mrs. 
Hutchinson plead guilty, but there is abundant justification for 
the conclusion, that their most flagrant offence, in the eyes of 
their brethren, was their denial of the coercive power of govern- 
ment over human belief. 

And who shall say, that Massachusetts, in all her history 
for the succeeding fifty years, did not, in her practice, justify 
her theory ? 

Whether they had advanced in their views, may be judged 
from a quotation from the requisition made on them by King 
Charles Second's commissioners, Nicoll, Carr, Cartwright and 
Maverick, May 24th, 1GG5, proposing certain changes in their 
laws, adapting them to the Royal Supremacy instead of the Pro- 
tectoral and Parliamentary, under which they had been framed, 
a passage in which reads as follows : 

"That page 34, heresy and error, ought to be declared with 
more caution, and a Salvo to the Church of England, and the 
members thereof." 



28 THE AQUIDXECK SETTLERS. 

"That page 36, section 9th, the Law against Quakers, may 
be restrained, that they may quietly pass about their lawful oc- 
casions, though, in other cases, they be punished." [Danforth 
papers, Mass, Hist. Soc. Coll. Vol. 8, page 86 ] 

Previously, May 18, 1665, Col. Richard Nichol, Sir Robert 
Carr and Mr. Samuel Maverick, had presented themselves to 
the Court, and Col. Nicoll addressed them. Among other 
things, he said, 

"For the use of the Common Prayer Book, His Majesty 
doth not impose the use of the Common Prayer Book on any, 
but he understands that Liberty of Conscience comprehends ev- 
ery man's conscience, as well any particular, and thinks that all 
his subjects should have, equally, an allowance thereof; he puts 
no man upon it ; but why you should put that restraint on His 
Majesty's subjects, that live under his obedience, His Majesty 
doth not understand that you have any such privileges." [Ibid. 
Vol. 8, page 78-9.] 

Also, in a written address, of same date. May 18th, the 
commissioners say, apparently in answer to a remonstrance from 
the General Court, 

"The end of the first planters coming hither was, as ex- 
pressed in your address (1660,) the enjoyment of the liberty of 
your own consciences, which the King is so far from taking 
away from you, that, by every occasion, he hath promised and 
assured the full enjoyment of it to you : We therefore admire, 
that you should deny the Liberty of Conscience to any, especial- 
ly where the King requires it ; and that, upon a vain conceit of 
vour oun, that it will disturb your enjoyments, which the King 
often hath said, it shall not." [Ibid. Vol. 8, page 76.] 

His Majesty, in a letter of June 28, 1662, had given them 
a hint to the same effect. (Ibid, page 52 and seq.) 

I here interject, as throwing additional light on the feeling 
entertained between Rhode Island and the other colonies, on 
this subject, part of an address to Richard Cromwell, Loid Pro- 



THE AQUIDNECK SEITLERS. 2g 

tector, by the General Assembly of Providence Plantations, May 
17, 1659. 

"May it please your highness to know, That this poor Col- 
ony of Providence Plantations mostly consists of a birth and 
breeding of the most high, -we being an outcast people, form 'rly 
from our Mother Nations, in the Bishop's days, and since from 
the rest of the New English over-zealous Colonies, (bearing 
with the several judgments of each other, in all the towns of our 
Colony, the which, our neighbor Colonies do not, which is the 
only cause of their offence against us,)* our whole frame being 
much hke unto the present frame and constitution of our dearest 
Mother, England." 

This document distinctly verifies the accuracy of the views 
which the King's Commissioners had imbibed, in relation to 
Massachusetts at about the same era, or shortly after. 

The hints of the Commissioners and of the King, seem to 
have failed entirely of effect ; they were prompted, doubtless, 
in some degree, by the executions which had occurred not long 
before. 

In 1659, Wm. Robinson and Marmaduke Stevenson ; in 
1660, Mary Dyer; in 1661, Wm. Leader, had, as the friends' 
records in Newport say, suffered martyrdom at Boston. And 
between 1665 and 1675, the notorious persecutions of the found- 
ers of the First Baptist Church in Boston occurred, full accounts 
of which may be found in "Backus' and Benedict's Histories of 
the Baptists," and in many other authorities, and cover a period 
of ten years, at least, subsequent to the lectures of the commis- 
sioners. 

Being traditionally and by conviction, a Congregationalist, 
I recall, with regret, these phases of puritanical administration, 
but I should be recreant to my duty, did I overlook them in 
this case, and while compelled to condemn them, as, in the em- 
phatic expression of the Rhode Island address, "over-zealous," 
I am proud to say, in the same correspondence with the com- 



30 THE AQUIDNECK SETTLERS. 

missioners, in resisting tlie threatened usurpations of the Crown, 
they exhibited a patience, prudence and manly determination, 
which is worthy of all praise, and which, lor a time, averted the 
humiliation which awaited them in the succeeding reign. 

And yet, in the face of the evidence I have thus endeav- 
ored to set before you, and various other evidence of the same 
purport, and in face of the equally well-known and well-estab- 
lished fact, that the governments of Plymouth, New Haven and 
Connecticut, were in full sympathy with Massachusetts (although 
their annals are stained by no such acts of outrage,) and that 
their faces were set, like a flint, against the recusants of Narra- 
gansett Bay — at a bi-centennial celebration of the Confederation 
of the United Colonies of New England, at Boston, in 1843, the 
spot which reeked with the blood of those martyrs to liberty, 
John Quincy Adams, than whom, no man on the Continent of 
America was more familiar with every phase of New England 
history, who has started on his triumphal march down the ages, 
as the foremost champion of human liberty in modern times — 
John Quincy Adams had the hardihood to claim, that to the 
United Colonies of New England mankind were indebted for 
the glorious principle of Liberty of Conscience. 

And such is history ! "O tempera ! O mores !" 
If I were to characterize the histories of New England, as 
far as I am familiar with them, I should say, that, with a few 
exceptions, they ought to be collected and published in one set, 
with uniform binding, and entitled "Bo.>ton, a Poem ;" and a 
very valuable romance it would be. The facts are there, but 
the analysis, how partial ! the coloring, how fanciful ! The 
special pleading of the annalists, from whom the data are de- 
rived, and who were generally of Massachusetts, and involved 
in their transactions, has given tone to succeeding histories. 

1 ask your forbearance while I make a few quotations, 
proving still further the position of Rhode Island on this ques- 
tion. 



THE AQUIDNECK SETTLERS. 3I 

"AVni. Arnold to the Governor of Massachusetts," speak- 
ing of the (Jortonists and Ivogcr Williams, of Providence, says, 

"It is a great pity and very unfit, that such a Company as 
these are, they all stand professed enemies of all the United Col- 
onies, should get a charter for so small a quantity of land, as 
lyeth in and about Providence, Shawomut, Pawtuxit and Coicit, 
all which, now Rhode Island is taken out of it.* It is but a 
small strape of land, lying between the Colonics of Massachu- 
setts, Plymouth and Conitaquot, by which means, if they should 
get a charter of it, there may come some mischiefe and trouble 
upon the whole country, if their project be not prevented in 
time, for under the pretence of Liberty of Conscience, about 
these partes there comes to live, all the scumme, the runnc 
awayes of the country, which, in tyme, for want of better order, 
may bring a heavy burthen upon the land. 

(Signed) William, Arnold, 

(dated) Patuxit, this first day of the Tth month, 1651." 
[from Hazard's State papers, page oHS.] 

i find in I\. I. State papers, Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll. 2d Se- 
ries, A'ol. 7, p. 79, the following vote of Rhode Island General 
Assembly, May 19-21, 1G47, on organizing under the first 
charter, at Portsmouth : 

"It is agreed by this present Assembly, thus incorporate, 
and by this present act declared, that the form of government 
established in Providence Plantations, is Democratical, that is to 
say, a government held by the free and voluntary consent of all, 
or the greater part of the free inhabitants. 

"And now, to the end that we may give to each other (not- 
withstanding our different consciences, touching the truth as it 
is in Jesus,) as good and hopeful assurance as we are able, 
touching each man's peaceable and quiet enjoyment of his law- 
ful right and liberty. We do agree unto, and, by the authority 
abovesaid, enact, establish and confirm these orders following." 



*Kcferring to Cotldiiigton's Perpetua! Cointnission. 



32 THE AQUIDNECK SETTLERS. 

This is part of the enacting clause of the code of laws, the 
concluding paragraph of which code is as follows, and is not in 
the printed record : 

"These are the laws that concern all men, and these are 
the penalties for the transgressions thereof, which, by common 
consent, are ratified and established throughout the whole Col- 
ony. And otherwise than thus, what is herein forbidden, all 
men may walk, as their consciences persuade them, every one in 
the name of his God. And let the Lambs of the ^lost High 
walk, in this Colony, without molestation, in the name of Jeho- 
vah their God, forever." 

These papers were furnished, with annotations by Samuel 
Eddy, Secretary of State, afterwards Chief Justice, and were 
published in 1826. 

Judge Eddy's commentary on this remarkable declaration, 
is appended, and is as follows : 

"The men who, at such a time, and under such circum- 
stances, could frame such a law, and undeviatingly adhere to its 
principle, though stigmatized as 'heretics, schismatics, antinomi- 
ans. Anabaptists, Quakers, seekers, soul-murderers, children of 
Korah, beasts of prey, the very dregs of familism, incendiaries 
of commonwealths, troublers of churches, and (even in 1809) the 
rebel band,' or by any or all the opprobrious epithets that big- 
otry or party zeal can cast upon them, yet, will I reverence, on 
this side idolatry." 

The singular felicity of expression of this note of Judge 
Eddy's, finds a responsive echo in every true Rhode Island 
heart, nor can such a limit be put to its magnetic power; it ap- 
peals to the aesthetic sensibilities of every individual in all lands, 
and in all times, whose soul is susceptible to the influences of 
eternal truth 

Our ancestors, therefore, are shown, upon all suitable occa- 
sions, to have positively asserted and emphasized their perpetual 
adhesion to freedom of belief, without qualification, as the sheet 



THE AQUIDNECK SETTLERS. ^S 

anchor on which their institutions depended, and their exact 
conformity to that principle, in all cases, has never been called 
in question. 

I, as a Rhode Island man, am exceedingly proud of the po- 
sition assumed and assiduously and pertinaciously adhered to, 
on the part of the settlers of this colony, and I am, perhaps, un- 
reasonably jealous of any attempt to divide with them the glory, 
which to them exclusively attaches, of establishing and promot- 
ing, for very many years, alone, a government founded upon 
this essential truth, imder every sort of adverse influence ever 
visited upon men, under like circumstances, and especially do I 
reprobate and resent a claim of that kind, on behalf of those 
whose whole influence and effort (and it was exceptionally po- 
tential) was strained to its utmost tension to discourage and 
crush this feeble band, whose only common religion was an ad- 
herence to this great vital principle, which was, avowedly, the 
essential heresy and crime, which, in their eyes justified their 
consistent and persistent hostility. 

How, during the dark and trying period of our eventful 
history, which closed with the seventeenth century, were the 
rest of the civilized world engaged ? Let the poor, distracted, 
murdered, pillaged, ravished and tortured Covenanters answer 
for Scotland. Let the victims of prelatical persecution put in a 
rejoinder for England. Let the dragonades which watered the 
fair fields of France with her best blood, tell her story ; and the 
fires, the dungeons, the racks, and all the inconceivable cruelties 
and atrocities, wring the soul with anguish, for the daily and 
hourly sufferings of Continental Europe, under the demoniacal 
inspiration of Torquemada. 

We know how it was with the United Colonics While their 
hearts were agonized by the sufferings of their brethren in Eng- 
land and Scotland, and horrified by the terrible statistics of 
crime and blood, perpetrated in the name of the gentle Saviour, 
on the Continent of Europe, they could not grasp the logical 



34 THE AQUIDNECK SET11,ERS. 

sequence of these enormities, they could not yield one jot or 
tittle of the right to compel conformity, which, they conceived, 
inhered in the anointed of God. 

Meanwhile, on this almost infinitesimal point of civilization 
and Christianity, and by this little band of obscure individuals, 
the spark had been struck, and nursed and fostered in its feeble 
glimmerings, and now, behold ! in its full blaze it lights all 
mankind in the pathway to universal emancipation. What do 
not -Christianity, commerce, science and the arts owe to the 
three little communities, which were driven from Massachusetts 
for non-conformity to certain tenets, which, if they had any 
meaning to the ultra-Puritan mind, are couched in a jargon 
which is incomprehensible to the modern understanding ! 

Our fathers could not have had the remotest conception of the 
magnitude and importance of the great work which they inaugu- 
rated. It probably never occurred to them that its benefits ever 
would extend beyond tneir own limits, but they are not the less 
entitled to our veneration. They were the first to plant a com- 
munity upon the solid foundation of God's everlasting truth, 
that no man is answerable for his convictions, except to his 
Maker. 

All honor to the men who first made it an article of their 
constituent law, as all men now acknowledge it to be, of God's 
Law. 

I would not be understood as disparaging the Puritan 
Fathers of Massachusetts, or of Connecticut and Plymouth. God 
forbid that any American should Avithhold his admiration for the 
sturdy endurance with which they encountered the political and 
religious outrages of the English government and hierarchy, or 
the manly heroism with which they braved the perils of the 
dreadful ocean voyage, and the still more appalling dangers and 
privations of a life in the trackless wilderness, among savages, 
in the inhospitable climate, and on the rugged soil of New Eng- 
land, for the sake of an unmolested enjoyment of their religion 
and its observances. 



THE AQUIDNECK SETTLERS. 35 

They planted, with great care and wisdom, seed which has 
germinated, and grown, and blossomed, and fructified, and gave 
a direction to its development, which has made it a nation such 
as we see ; and who can (l()u])t that the example that they be- 
queathed, is the great and predominant tlement to which the 
success and happiness of this great people is mainly due, and 
insomuch as we emulate their example, are these blessings like- 
ly to be continued to our posterity. Their faults were those of 
their age, and were few and venial ; their virtues were many 
and great. 

Their failure in toleiance of opinion was universal in that 
age, and may be palliated on the plea of misplaced zeal, and not 
jadged by the standard of our more enlightened time. In ex- 
pelling the settlers of this State, ''they planted better than they 
knew." 

Providence, Warwick and Rhode Island — we love them all 
alike ; without all, the settlement would have been a failure. 
They were one in their devotion to the generic principle, which 
animated the councils of the Colony, from its inception. The 
facile tact of Roger Williams paved the way to a friendly rela- 
tion with the Indians ; the position and character of John 
Clarke were potential in their negotiations with the Mother 
Country ; while the nerve and persistency of Iloldcn and Greene 
assured the retention of Narragansett. 

The sheaf of arrows, adopted as an emblem in 16-11, would 
have been peculiarly applicable after the union of all the towns, 
and the legend, '^Amor vincet omnia^'' was, at all times, appro- 
priate, with those who believed men could be better converted 
by love than by force ; but the anchor, adopted in 1647, is un- 
exceptionable, expressive of their reliance on a power that can 
never fail. 

Ladies and gentlemen, I thank you for your kind attention, 
and I ask leave to apologize. First, in that I have had the as- 
surance to come before you for four successive years. I hinted 



36 THE AQUIDNECK SETTLERS. 

my misgivings (but my friends of the committee overruled my 
mistrust,) that it would seem to you, as it does to me, like pre- 
sumption. My excuse must be, my zeal in the cause to which 
my leisure is devoted. 

Second, that I have, as before, given you a large proportion 
of quotations, probably already familiar, subjecting myself to the 
criticism of making the text longer than the sermon ; but I al- 
ways feel that a point is better supported by placing the reflec- 
tions in apposition with the basis on which they are founded. 

I trust to your usual indulgent construction. 



APPENDIX. 



Remonstrance of Mr. WhelewrighVs Friends at 
Court of Etedion, W37. 

From Prince Soc. Publications, Hutchinson Papers, Vol. l,p. 63. 



"We whose names are underwritten (have diligently ob- 
served this honorable Court's proceedings against our dear and 
reverend brother in Christ, Mr. AVheelwright, now under cen- 
sure at the Court, for the ti'utli of Christ.) We do humbly be- 
seech this honorable Court to accept this Remonstrance and Pe- 
tition of ours, in all due submission tendered to your worships. 

For first. W hereas our beloved brother, Mr. Wheelwright, 
is censured for contempt, by the greater part of this honored 
Court, we desire your worships to consider the sincere intentions 
of our brother to promote your end in the day of fast, for where- 
as we do perceive, your principal intention [in the] day of fast, 
looked chiefly at the public peace of the churches, our reverend 
brother did, to his best strength, and as the Lord assisted him, 
labor to promote your end, and therefore endeavored to draw us 
nearer unto Christ, the head of our union, that so we might be 
established in peace, which we conceive to be the true way, 
sanctified of God, to obtain your end, and therefore deserves no 
such censure, as we conceive. 

Secondly. Whereas, our dear brother is censured of sedi- 



35 THE AQUIDNECK SETTLERS. 

tion, we beseecli your worsliips to consider that either, the per- 
son condemned must be seditious, or must breed sedition in the 
hearts of his hearers, or else we know not on what grounds he 
shall be censured. Now to the first, we hare not heard any 
that have witnessed against our brother for any seditious fact. 
Secondly, neither was the doctrine itself, being no other but the 
very expressions of the Holy Ghost himself, and therefore can- 
not justly be branded with, sedition. ITiirdly, if you look at the 
effects of his doctrine upon the hearers, it hath not stirred up 
sedition in us, not so much as by accident ; we have not drawn 
the sword, as sometimes Peter did, rashly, neither have we res- 
cued our innocent brother, as sometimes the Israelites did Jona- 
than, and yet they did not seditiously. The Covenant of free 
grace held forth bv our brother, hath taught us rather, to be- 
come humble suppliants to your worships, and if we could not 
prevail, we would rather, with patience, give our cheeks to the 
smiters. Since, therefore, the Teacher, the Doctrine, and the 
hearers be most free from sedition (as we conceive,) we humbly 
beseech you, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, your Judge 
and ours, and for the honor of this Court, and the proceedings 
thereof, that you will be pleased, either to make it appear to us, 
and to all the world, to whom the knowledge of all these things 
will come, wherein the sedition lies, or else, acquit our brother 
of the censure. 

Further, we beseech you, remember the old method of Sa- 
tan, the ancient enemy of free grace, in all ages of the church, 
who hath raised up such calumnies against the faithful Prophet 
of God. EHab was called the troubler of Israel, I. Kings, 18- 
17, 18. Amos was charged for conspiracy, Amos, 7-10. Paul 
was counted a pestilent fellow, or mover of sedition, and a ring- 
leader of a sect, Acts, 24-5. And Christ himself, as well as 
Paul, was charged to be a teacher of new doctrine, Mark 1-27 j 
Acts 17-19. Now we beseech you consider, whether that old 
serpent work not, after his old method, even in our days. 



THE AQUIDNECK SETTLERS. 39 

Further, wc beseech you, consider the danger of meddling 
against the Prophets, Psalms 105-14, 15 ; for what ye do unto 
them, the Lord Jesus takes as done unto himself; if you hurt 
any of his members, the head is very sensible of it ; for so saith 
the Lord of Hosts. 'He that toucheth you, toucheth the apple 
of mine eye,' Zach. 2-8. And, 'better a millstone were hanged 
about our necks, and that ve were cast into the sea, than that 
we should offend any uf these little ones M'hich believe on him,' 
Matthew, 18-6. 

And lastly, we beseech you, consider how should you stand, 
in relation to us, as nursing Fathers, which gives us encourage- 
ment, to promote our humble requests to you, or else wc would 
say, with the prophet Isaiah, 22-4. 'Look from me, that I may 
weep bitterly. Labor not to comfort me,' etc. ; or as Jeremiah, 
9-2, 'O, that 1 had in the wilderness, a lodging place of a way- 
faring man.' 

And thus have we made known our griefs and desires to 
your worships, and leave them upon record with the Lord and 
with vou. Knowing that if we should receive repulse from 
von, with the Lord we shall find grace." 



40 THE AQUIDNECK SETTLERS. 



Co.nmissioners of the Ifniied Colonies, 7(. E. 

Flym. Col Records, Vol. IX. Page 151, & seq. 

Leller from Mass. Sept. 2, 1656. 



"Honored Gentlemen — 

The remembrance of the solemn covenants and promises 
the United Colonies (in the beginning of their combination,) 
made one with another, not only to strengthen the hearts and 
hands each of others, in the propagating and maintaining of Re- 
ligion in its purity, but also to be assisting each to other, where 
any deficiency, in such respects, may appear ; hath put us upon 
the pursuance of our endeavours to discharge our duties, in de- 
siring you to consider of some such meet way and expedient, as 
where any defect appears, in any Colony, in the right improve- 
ment of such means and ordinances, as the Lord hath appointed 
all his to use and improve, for the edification of the body, 
whereof Christ is the head, till his second coming. Having 
heard, some time since, that our neighbor's Colony of Plymouth, 
our beloved brethren, in a great part seem to be wanting to 
themselves, in a due acknowledgment of and encouragement to 
the ministers of the Gospel, so as, many pious ministers of the 
Gospel have (how justly we know not) deserted their stations, 
callings and relations. Our desire is that some such course 
might be taken, as that a pious orthodox ministry might be re- 
stated amongst them, that so, the flood of error and principles 
of anarchy, which will not long be kept out, where Sathan and 
his instruments are so prevalent as to prevail the crying down 
of ministry and ministers, may be prevented. 

Here have arrived, amongst us, several persons, professing 



THE AQUIDNECK SE'n'LERS. 4 1 

thonisolvcs Quakers, fit insti'umrnts to propngate the kingdom 
of Satlian ; for tlie securing of ourselves and our neighbors from 
such pests, we have imprisoned them, till they be despatched 
away to the place from whence they came, one of wliich, llich- 
ard Smith, we have let out of prison, to return to his family, at 
Southampton, whence we hope and doubt not, our neighbors of 
Connecticut will be careful, so to order it, as he may not do the 
least prejudice, as also, that some general rules may be com- 
mended to the several jurisdictions, for the settlement of Gov- 
ernment amongst the Indians, that a general law may also be 
commended to the General Courts, to prohibit the sale of horses 
to the Indians, or to transport any marcs beyond the seas, to 
Barbadoes or otherwise, on a severe penalty. And that some 
general rules may be also commended to each General Court, to 
prevent the coming in amongst us, from foreign places, such no- 
torious heretics as Quakers, Ranters, &c., and that strong waters 
to the Indians, in all the jurisdictions, may be forbidden, that 
the name of God be not dishonored. 

Naught else, but our best respects to you, and earnest de- 
sires that the blessing of the Almighty may be on all your en- 
deavors. Your assured loving friend, 

Edward Rawson, Secretary. 
Boston, 2 Sept., 1656. By or.ler of the Magistrates." 



ANSWER TO FOREGOING. 

Commissio7iers U. Colonies io Governmeni of Mass. 

SepL, 1656. Plym. Col. Records, Vol. IX. 

Tage 156 and seq. 

"Ihe Commissioners, having considered the premises, can- 
not but acknowledge the godly care and zeal of the gentlemen 
of the Massachusetts to uphold and maintain those professed 
ends of coming into these parts, and of the combination of the 
United Colonies ; which, if not attended in the particulars afore- 
said, will be rendered wholly frustrate, the profession miserably 
scandalized, ourselves become a reproach in the eyes of those 
that (cannot without admiration) behold our sudden defection 
from our first principles. We cannot, therefore, but with all 
earnestness commend it to the wisdom and justice of the several 
jurisdictions, to take effectual care and make answerable pro- 
vision, that religion and the ordinances of Christ professed, may 
be upheld and maintained : which cannot be, but by a due en- 
couragement of an able and orthodox ministry, and a discoun- 
tenancing of that which is heterodox, and an effectual course to 
keep out hereticks, the great Engine of Sathan (in these times,) 
to overthrow the truth ; and because this business is of such 
high concernment to all, we shall more particularly impart our 
thoughts to serious consideration. 

We cannot, without breach of charity, but take it for a 
thing granted generally, by the inhabitants of the United Colo- 
nies, that an able orthodox ministry is a precious fruit of 
Christ's death, resurrection and ascension, and necesary for the 
spiritual good of his people, and to be duly sought after in every 
society or township within the several jurisdictions. 

And secondly, that a competent maintenance proportionable 



THE AQUIDNECK SETTLERS. 43 

to the ability of the place, and necessity of the minister, is a 
debt of justice, and not charity. 

Hence thirdly, the minister may justly expect it from the 
Society and Township wherein he labors. 

The reference or relation of a minister being to the whole 
society jointly, whether in church order or not ; his expectation 
of maintenance, and the debt of justice, is from the whole soci- 
ety jointly. 

Although the society may, according to their own discre- 
tion, use divers ways to raise his maintenance, yet, if the ways 
be ineffectual, though the defect may be by soma pajticular per- 
son, yet the Society cannot be discharged, but is the debtor. 

The engagement being upon the Society, and that accord- 
ing to right and reason, it necessarily foUoweth that the Society 
be enabled with sufficient to itself. 

Therefore, the General Courts should declare such a power 
to be in such Societies, that there may be no pretence in them 
for want thereof; and if any Society or Township shall be want- 
ing, either out of neglect or opinion, to procure and maintain, as 
abovesaid, an orthodox ministry, according to the Gospel, we 
conceive, by the rules of Scripture and practice, of not only 
Christian governments, but even of heathen, who not only held 
their Sacra in veneration, but took care of those that had the 
keeping of them, and the charge of making known their mys- 
teries. 

The several General Courts stand charged with the care 
that the people professing Christianity own and live according 
to the rules and ordinances of their profession, and that the dis- 
pensers thereof be encouraged as aforesaid ; the maintenance of 
the ministers being a debt of justice from the Society, and the 
Society empowered to discharge it ; if any particular person 
shall be defective to the Society, they ought to be ordered by 
the ordinary course of justice. 

These generals we thought good to propose, from whence 



44 THE AQUIDNECK SETTLERS. 

we lea-ve it to the wisdom of the several General Courts, to draw 
up such conclusions and orders, as may attain the end desired, 
and if any of the members of the said Courts should not concur 
(at present) with our apprehensions, we do earnestly desire, that 
by all means they would labor to inform and satisfy themselves 
of thi truth of the particulars abovesaid, whereof we, for our 
parts, have no doubt. We do further propose to the several 
General Courts, that all Quakers, Ranters and other notorious 
hereticks be prohibited coming into the United Colonies, and if 
any shall hereafter come or arise amongst us, that they be forth- 
with secured, or removed out of all the jurisdictions. 

That some safe provision be made against selling or giving 
strong liquors to the Indians, without particular express license 
from some magistrate, or other officer thereunto deputed, and 
that upon some weighty occasion or exigent. 

And that no horse or mare, young or old, be sold to any 
Indian, under the penalty of five for one. 

And, as to the restraint of sending forth and transporting 
mares, that each jurisdiction be left at their liberty ; and also, 
that no boats, barques or any tackling belonging thereunto, be 
sold to any Indian, under the penalty of five for one." 



HERESY AND ERROR. 

:^ds of the United Colonies. 
Plym. Col Records, Vol. Ll\ Page 8U Sept., 164-6, 



Upon serious consideration of the spreading nature of error, 
the dangerous groAvth and effects thereof in other places, and 
particularly, how the purity anct power, both of religion and of 
civil order, is already much corrupted, if not wholly lost, in a 
part of New England, by a licentious liberty granted and settled, 
whereby many, casting off the rule of the word, profess and 
practise what is good in their own eyes. And upon information 
of what petitions have been lately put up in some of the Colo- 
nics, against the good and strait ways of Christ, both in the 
churches and in the Commonwealth, the Commissioners remem- 
bering that those Colonies, for themselves and their posterity, 
did enter into this firm and perpetual league, as for other re- 
spects, so, for mutual advice, that the truth and liberties of the 
Gospel might be preserved and propagated, thought it their 
duty, seriously to commend it to the care and consideration of 
each General Court within these United Colonies, that, as they 
have laid their foundations and measured the temple of God, 
the worship and worshippers, by that straight reed God hath 
put into their hands, so they would walk on and build up (all 
discouragements and difficulties notwithstanding) with an un- 
daunted heait and unwearied hand, according to the same rules 
and patterns ; that a due watch be kept and continued, at the 
doors of God's house ; that none be admitted as members of the 
body of Christ, but such as hold forth effectual calling, and 
thereby union, with Christ, the head, and that those whom 
Christ hath received and enter by an express covenant to attend 
and observe the laws and duties of that spiritual corporation ; 



46 THE AQUIDNECK SETTLERS. 

that baptism, the seal of the covenant, be administered only to 
such members and their immediate seed ; that Anabaptism, 
Familism, Anti-nomlanism, and generally all errors of like na- 
ture, which oppose, undermine and slight, either the Scriptures, 
the Sabbath, or other ordinances of God, and bring in and cry 
up unwarrantable revelations, inventions of men, or any carnal 
liberty, under a deceitful color of Liberty of Conscience, may be 
seasonably and duly supprest, though they wish as much for- 
bearance and respect may be had, of tender consciences, seeking 
light, as may stand with the purity of religion and peace of the 
Churches. (The Commissioners of Plymouth desire further 
consideration concerning this advice, given to the General 
Courts." 



Copy of a Lelier from, Mr. Roger Williams, Pres- 
ident of 'Providence PlaniaiionSy io llie General 
Couil of Magistrates and 'Deputies assembled at 
Boston. 

Hutchinson's Original Papers. 
Hazard's Slate Papers, Page 610, 



"Providence, 15, 9 mo., 5^ (so-called. 
Much Honored Sirs — 

It is my humble and earnest petition unto God and you, 
th. t you may so be pleased to exercise command over your own 
spirits, that you may not mind myself nor the English of these 
parts (unworthy with myself of your eye,) but only that face of 
equity (English and Christian) which I humbly hope may ap- 
pear, in these representations following. 

First, may it please you to remember, that concerning 
the town of Warwick (in this Colonic,) there lies a suit of £2,000 
damages against you, before his highness and the Lords of his 
Council, I doubt not, if you so please, but that (as Mr. Winslow 
and myself had well-nigh ordered it) some gentlemen from 
yourselves and some from AVarwick deputed, may friendly and 
easily determine that affair between you. 

Secondly, the Indians which pretend your name, at War- 
wick and Pawtuxet, and yet live as barbarously, if not more, 
than any in the country, please you to know, their insolences 
upon ourselves and cattel (unto £20 damages per annum,) are 
insufferable by English spirits ; and please you to give credence 
that to all these, they pretend your name, and affirm that they 
dare not (for offending youj agree with us, nor come to rules of 



48 THE AQUIDNECK SETTLERS. 

righteous neighborhood, only they know you favor us not, and 
therefore send us for redress unto you. 

Thirdly, concerning four English families at Pawtuxet, 
may it please you to remember, that two controversies they have 
long (under your name) maintained with us, to a constant ob- 
structing of all order and authority amongst us. 

To our complaint about our lands, they have lately profest 
a willingness to arbitrate, but to obey his highness' authority in 
this Charter, they say they dare not, for your sakes, though 
they live not by your laws, nor bear your charges nor ours, but 
evade both, under color of your authoritie." 

Honored sirs, I cordially profess it before the most high, 
that I believe it, if not only they, but ourselves, and all the 
whole country, by joint consent, were subject to your govern- 
ment, it might be a rich mercy ; but as things yet are, and since 
it pleased, first the Parliament, aid then the Lord Admiral and 
Committee for foreign plantations, and since the Council of 
State, and lastly the Lord Protector and his Council, to continue 
us as a distinct Colony, yea, and since it hath pleased yourselves, 
by public letters, and reference to us from your public Courts, 
to own the authority of his highness amongst us ; be pleased to 
consider how unsuitable it is for yourselves (if thcs"; families of 
Pawtuxet plead truth,) to be the obstructors of all orderly pro- 
ceedings amongst us ; for I humbly appeal to your own wisdoms 
and experience, how unlikely it is for a people to be compelled 
to order and common charges, when others in their bosoms, are 
by such (seeming) partiality exempted from both. 

And therefore (lastly) be pleased to know, that there are 
(upon the point) but two families which are so obstructive and 
destructive to an equal proceeding of civil order amongst us ; 
for one of these four families, Stephen Arnold, desires to be uni- 
form with us ; a second, Zacharie Rhodes, being in the way of 
dipping, is (potentially) banished by you. Only Wm. Arnold 
and Wm. Carpenter (very far also in religion from you, if you 



THE AQUIDNECK SETTLERS. 49 

knew all.) they have some color, yet in a late conference they 
all plead that all the obstacle is, their offending of yourselves. 

Fourthly, whereas (I humbly conceive,) with the people of 
this Colony your commerce is as great as with any in the coun- 
try, and our dangers (being a frontier people to the barbarians) 
are greater than those of other Colonies, and the ill consequences 
to yourselves would be not few nor small, and to the whole 
land, were we first massacred or mastered by them. I pray 
your a-qual and favourable reflection upon that your law, which 
prohibits us to buy of you all means of our necessary dc:fence of 
our wives and families (yea in this most bloody and massacring 
time.) 

We are informed that tickets have rarely been denied to 
any English of the country ; yea, the bai-barians (the notorious 
in lies,) if they profess subjection, they are furnished. Only 
ourselves, by former and later denial, seem to be devoted to the 
Indian shambles and massacres. 

The barbarians, all the land over, are -filled with artillerie 
and ammunition from the Dutch, openly and horridly, and from 
all the English over the country (by stealth,) I know they 
abound so wonderfully, that their activitie and insolencie is 
grown so high, that they daily consult, and hope, and threaten 
to render us slaves, as they long since (and now most horribly) 
have made the Dutch. 

For myself (as through God's goodness,) I have refused 
the gain of thousands by such a murtherous trade, aud think no 
law yet extant amongst yourselves or us, secure enough against 
such a villanie ; so I am loath to see so many hundreds (if not 
some thousands,) in this Colonic, destroyed like fools .and 
beasts, without resistance. I grieve that so much blood should 
cry against yourselves ; yea, and I grieve that (at this instant, 
by these ships) this cry and the premises should now trouble 
his highness and his Council. For the seasonable preventing of 



50 THE AQUIDNECK SETTLERS. 

which, is this h'mible address presented to your wisdom, by him 
who desires to be, 

Your unfeigned and faithful servant, 

Koger WilKams, 
of Providence Plantations, 

President." 

[Posfcript to Above Letter.'] 
"Hon. SiKs : 

Since my Letter, it comes into my heart to pray your 
leave to add a word as to myself, viz.: At my last return from 
England, I presented your then honored Governor, Mr. BelUng- 
ham, with an order of the Lords of the Council, for my free tak- 
ing ship or landing at your parts, unto which it pleased Mr. 
Bellingham to send me his assent in writing. I humbly cravd 
the recording of it by yourselves, lest forgetfulness hereafter 
again put me upon such distresses as, God knows, I suffered 
when I last past through your Colony to our native country. 

R. W." 



Copy of a LelUr fro.n Providence TlaniaUons, fo 

the General Court of the Massachusells. 

Hulchinson's Original Papers. 

Hazard's SI ale Papers, Page 612. 



"Pkovidknce, 12, 3 mo., 58 (?o-called. 
May it please this much honored Assembly to remember 
that, as an officer and in the name of Providence Colonie, I pre- 
sented you with our humble requests, before winter, unto which, 
not receiving answer, I addressed myself, this spring, to your 
much-honored Governor, who as pleased to advise our sending 
of some of Providence to your Assembly. 

Honored sirs, our first request (in short) was and is, for 
5'our favorable consideration of the long and lamentable condi- 
tion of the town of Warwick, which hath been thus They are 
so dangerously and so vexatiously intermingled with the Bar- 
barians, that I have long admired the wonderful power of God 
in restraining and preventing very great fires of mutual slaugh- 
ters breaking forth between them. 

Your wisdoms know the inhumane insultations of these 
wild creatures, and y<'u mav be pleased to imagine, that they 
have not been sparing of your name, as the patron of all their 
wickedness against our English men, women and children, and 
cattle, to the yearly damage of 60, 80 and £100 

The remedie is (under God,) only your pleasure that Pum- 
ham shall come to an agreement with the town or Colonie, and 
that some convenient way or time be set fur their removal. 

And that your wisdoms may see just grounds for such your 
willingness, ba pleased to be informed of a realitie of a solemn 



52 THE AQUIDNECK SETTLERS. 

covenant between this town of Warwick and Pumham, unto 
which, notwithstanding that he pleads being drawn to it by the 
awe of his superior Sachims, yet I humbly offer that what was 
done, was according to the law and tenor of the natives (I take 
it) in all New England and America, viz.: that the inferior Sa- 
chims and subjects shall plant and remove at the pleasure of the 
highest and supreme Sachims, and I humbly conceive that it 
pleaseth the most high and only wise to make use of such a 
bond of authoritie over them, without which they could not long 
subsist in humane societies, in this wild condition, wherein they 
are. 

2. Please you not to be insensible of the slipperie and 
dangerous condition of this, their intermingled cohabitation. I 
am humbly confident, that all the English towns and plantations 
in all New England put together, suffer not such molestation 
from the natives as this one town and people. It is so great 
and so oppressive that I have daily feared the tidings of some 
public fire and mischief. 

3. Be pleased to review this copie from the Lord Admi- 
ral, and that this English town of Warwick should proceed, also, 
that if any of yours were there planted, they should, by your 
authoritie, be removed. And we humbly conceive, that if the 
English (whose removes are difficult and chargeable,) how much 
more these wild ones, who remove with little more trouble and 
damage than the wild beasts of the wilderness. 

4. Please you to be informed, that this small neck (wherein 
they keep and mingle fields with the English) is a very den of 
wickedness, where they not only practice the horrid barbarisms 
of all kinds of whoredoms, idolotries and conjurations, but, liv- 
ing without all exercise of actual authoritie, and getting store 
of liquors (to our grief,) there is a confluence and rendezvous of 
all the wildest and most licentious natives and practices of the 
whole country. 

5. Beside satisfaction to Pumham and the former inhabitants 



THE AQUIDNECK SETTLERS. 53 

of this neck, there is a competitor who must also be satisfied, 
another sachim, one Nawwashawsuck, who (living with Ousam- 
aquin) lays claim to this place, and are at daily feud with Pum- 
ham (to my knowledge,) about the title and lordship of it. Hos- 
tilitie is daily threatened. 

Our second request concerns two or three English fomillcs 
at Pawtuxet. who, before our charter, subjected themselves unto 
your jurisdiction. It is true, there are many grievances between 
many of the town of Providence and them, and these, I humbly 
conceive, may best be ordered to be composed by reference. 

2. But we have formerly made our addresses, and now do, 
for your prudent removal of this great and long obstruction to 
all due order and regular proceedings among us, viz.: the refusal 
of these families (pretending your name) to conform with us, 
unto his highness' authoritie among us. 

3. Your wisdoms experimentally know how apt men are to 
stumble at such an exemption from all duties and services, from 
all rates and charges, either with yourselves or us. 

4. This obstruction is so great and constant, that (without 
your prudent removal of it) it is impossible that either his High- 
ness or yourselves can expect such satisfaction and observance 
from us, as ^vc desire to render. 

Lastly, as before, we promised satisfaction to the natives at 
Warwick (and shall, all possible ways, endeavor their content,) 
so we humbly offer, as to these, our countrymen, First, as to 
grievances depending, that references may settle them. Sec- 
ondly, for the future, the way will be open for their enjoyment 
ol votes and privileges, of choosing and being chosen to any of- 
fice in town or colonie. 

Our third request is, for your favorable leave to us to buy 
of your merchants, four or more barrells of pjwder, yearly, with 
some convenient portion of artillerie, considering our hazardous 
frontier situation to these Barbarians, who, from their abundant 
supply of arms, from the Dutch (and perfidious English, all the 



54 THE AQUIDNECK SETTLERS. 

land over,) are full of our artillerie, which hath rendered them 
exceedingly insolent, provoking and threatening, especially the 
inlanders, which have their supply from the fort of Aurania. 
We have been esteemed, by some of you, as your thornie hedge, 
on this side of you ; if so, yet an hedge to be maintained ; if as 
out sentinels, yet not to be discouraged. And if there be a 
jealousy of the ill-use of such a favor, please you to be assured, 
that a credible person in each town shall have the dispose and 
managing of such supplies, according to the true intent and pur- 
pose. 

For the obtaiiiing of these, our just and necessary petitions, 
we have no inducement or hope from ourselves. Only we pray 
you to remember, that the matters prayed, are no way dishon- 
orable to yourselves, and we humbly conceive do greatly pro- 
mote the honor and pleasure of his Highness, yea, of the Most 
High also, and lastly, such kindnesses will be obligations on us, 
to studie to declare ourselves, upon all occasions, 

Your most humble and faithful servants, 

Roger Williams, President. 
In the name and by the appointment of 

Providence Colony. 
P. S. Honored gentlemen, I pray your patience to one 
word, relating to myself only. Whereas, upon an order from 
the Lords of his Highness' Council, for my future security in 
taking ships and landing in your ports, it pleased your honored 
then Governor, Mr. Bellingham, to obey that order, under his 
own hand, I now pray the confirmation of it, from one word of 
this honored Court assembled. R. W." 



Copy of a Leiier pom Mr. Roger Williams lo Vie 

General Court. 

Eulchinsoji's Original Papers. 

Hazard's Slate Papers, Page 6W. 

'•Boston, 17, 3, 56, fso called.) 
May it please this much honored Assembh^, 

I do humbly hope that your own breasts and the pid)lick 
shall reap the fruit of your gentleness and patience in these bar- 
barous transactions, and I do cordially promise for mvsclf (and 
all I csn perswade with,J to study gratitude and faythfulncss to 
your service. 

I have debated Mith Pumham (ind some of the natives 
helping with me,) who shewed him the vexatious life he lives 
in, your great respect and care toward him, by which he may 
abundantly mend himself, and be united in some convenience 
unto their neighborhood and your service. But I humbly con- 
ceive, in his case, that "cZ/e.s et quies sanant hominem,'" and he 
must have some longer breathing, for he tells me that the ap- 
pearance of this competitor, Nawwushawsuck, had stab'd him. 
May you, therefore, please to grant him and me some longer 
time of conference, either until your next general assembling, or 
longer, at your pleasures. 

My other requests, I shall not be importune to press on 
vour o-reat affairs, but shall make my address unto your Secre- 
tarie, to receive by him your pleasure. 

Honored gentlemen, 

Your humble and thankful servant, 

R. W." 



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